The corollary of Rule #12 is that one focusses the bulk of their energies on upgrading Bike #1 with the result that upgraded gear typically cascades down to Bike #2 and on down through Bike #n. This is The Way of Things; Bike #1 gains the most, but in the end, they all benefit as upgrades trickle through the stable, with the oldest and most worn gear falling from the bottom where they are either discarded or await enough accumulation to justify another build.
There comes a day, however, that we find ourselves needing to inject an upgrade into the hierarchy, an upgrade which disrupts the Natural Order. This was the case when I reluctantly replaced my XL EV2 with my new Soloist frame. My EV2 holds a dear place in my heart. I built her bit by bit, from components scavenged from eBay over the course of an entire winter. She was at my side (under me, actually, if we’re going to pick nit) as I rediscovered La Vie Velominatus. She was built from scratch in homage to one of my all-time favorite cyclists, Pantani, and his elusive 1998 stallion. She was the first bike I owned that fit me the way I wanted. She was the first bike I had with compact geometry, she was the first bike that cleft my heart in two when I crashed during a crit and destroyed the frame. (I quickly replaced hers with another, identical frame, which is the one I have today.)
Suffice it to say, to have her hanging from a nail in my workshop is a dishonor to this beautiful, loyal friend who carried me back to fitness and through some of the greatest ride’s I’ve been on. Never once did she complain that I was too heavy. Never once did she cringe in agony as I pushed harder on the pedals. Never once did she point downhill when the road pointed up. She carried me through the 2003 L’Etape du Tour and up l’Alpe d’Huez on the morning of the stage. She carried me home after bonking in the heat of North Carolina. She guided my rear wheel back to safety as I was slipping to certain death under a passing semi-trailer on a rain-slicked railroad track.
We have been through a lot together; she must be resurrected. But the question is, in what form?
Bikes are meant to be ridden. I have a carbon Bike #1 and a steel Bike #2, both of which are generally ridden in good weather only, although accidents do happen and they do find their way onto wet roads occasionally. I have a sublime Alu Bike #3 which boasts an identical fit to Bike #1 and serves as my rain bike, thereby getting by far the most use. As far as road bikes go; I have the spectrum fairly well covered and I fear that adding another will mean that she lives out her life being overlooked for my daily rides and go largely unridden, a dishonor almost as great as her current state of limbo.
What I don’t have, however, is a commuter bike; a bike to ride to the cafe or farmers market. A bike to hop aboard and pedal to the office. Do I build her into a commuter which gets ridden, if not in the spirit for which she was intended? Or is this a bigger dishonor than not riding her at all? If I do build her into a commuter, do I rider her with drop bars and my old STI shifters, or do I opt for a set of commuter-friendly mustache bars which I’ve fancied ever since I spotted my first Bridgestone X0? Downtube shifters or bar-end shifters? Full funders and wide tires, I think, though how wide is possible on her tight racing geometry?
Or do I build a funeral pire and set her ablaze, allowing her noble soul to return to Merckx on Mount Velomis to be reborn to someone else’s stable?
Fellow Velominati, I submit to your input: how best to honor this noble steed?
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View Comments
@Nate
I definitely can say that I'm not at so great a level that my bike is necessarily holding me back, but there are some problems. The geometry is more laid back, so when I tuck in a lot I end up clamshelling due to the shallow seat tube angle. The wheelbase is pretty long as well, but that isn't so big a deal. I forgot to mention the wheels are steel, which is not helping me at all. My LBS can get me a proper set of 700c x 23mm alloy ones for the freewheel and frame spacing but I just need to pull some money together.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
My current bike is 60cm and I have maybe 20cm or so of seatpost above that, (just guessing since I am at home away from the bike, a shame I know). How tall is this Frank, I had just figured it was a smaller frame? That headtube is really long now that I look.
@scaler911
What is this nipple lube, it is the only thing I've been confused about while reading the comments. I understand the lubing of spoke nipples and runners having bleeding nipples and possibly lubing them to avoid it, I guess its some inside joke, but what is it referencing?
My school is about an hour north of Pittsburgh if that is anywhere close to you. I would definitely be down for some parts.
@Logan
How can those north road bars possibly be comfortable on track frames? Are they going for some Obree style position? Drops are incredibly comfortable IMO, especially since you don't need to rotate your wrists. That poor TT frame with the curved seat tube being used by some hipster is just sad. Also I lol'd at the HED aero wheels with the north road bars with a basket on them.
@DerHoggz
Nipple lube, is something JIPM came up with to describe something good. Kinda like a Google +1 but way more fun to say. Nipple lube, see!
I live in the PNW so I'm nowhere near close. Just thought I'd ask.
@Buck Rogers
Therein lies the conundrum. Bringing it back to it's beauty is not the challenge but if that were to happen beauty would be the only purpose. frank mentions in the article he's got the spectrum covered and would rarely ride the bike if it were kitted up. This is why I say re-purpose this beaut as a classy ss. Hell
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Since you don't have to duck walking through doors and smack your head on light fittings you only get to use the little person flags, and so don't need such an impressive flagpole.
Damn phone....hell. He could throw some campag cranks, ITM bars, and classic hoops on there to channel the spirit of il pirata. And as he rode to the market or beer store he would always be reminded of L'Etape. North Carolina and great rides gone by still knowing the bike has purpose and is in loyal, regular service.
If he does a build up as a SS might I suggest these cranks if not Campy? Specifically the Royal Flush version.
@Marko
I hear you. I just think that he should rebuild it classic, use it if he will and, if not, sell it/gift it to someone who will appreciate the beauty of it.
Anything less is an insult to it, in my opinion.
He is, afterall, taking suggestions and that is mine.
Go for the full freak build with the mustache 'bars and whatever parts you can dig up. You already have a stable of cool "normal" road bikes. Make this bike one of a kind.
You can always change it back to normal down the road. I'd bet after riding it in freak mode, it stays that way...
@Frank
Re-bild her Pantani style. If you find your not riding her, do what some of the pros have done - sell her for charity to a worthy rider.
Heh, heh.
Nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube.